In the evening, gather around the wreath (which is not yet lit).
Service
Leader: Light and Peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Let us pray (Pray the appropriate prayer from Weeks 1 through 4 below)
The candle(s) may now be lit.
All: O Gracious Light
O Gracious Light,
Pure brightness of the everliving Father in Heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and glorified though all the world.
Advent Readings List
Click on the verse to be taken to that reading on the Bible Gateway web site.
First Week
- Sunday: Isaiah 9:6-7
- Monday: Romans 8:1-11
- Tuesday: Genesis 12:1-9
- Wednesday: Isaiah 7:10-14
- Thursday: John 1:1-18
Second Week
- Sunday: 1 John 4:7-18
- Monday: Hebrews 1:1-4
- Tuesday: Galatians 4:1-7
- Wednesday: John 3:16-17
- Thursday: Romans 8:35-39
Third Week
- Sunday: Isaiah 9:2-5
- Monday: Matthew 2:1-12
- Tuesday: 1 Peter 1:8-9
- Wednesday: Romans 5:13
- Thursday: Isaiah 12:6
Fourth Week
- Sunday: Hebrews 13:5-6
- Monday: Luke 1:57-79
Reading – Read the Scripture assigned for that night from the Advent Reading List. Please spend time discussing the night’s Scripture.
Prayer (Say a prayer thanking God for this season and for sending Jesus to bring us back to Him. You should create your own prayers and end with the Lord’s prayer)
The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:25-32)
All: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
CLOSING
Leader: The Lord bless us and keep us. Amen
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. Amen.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Prayers Pray the appropriate prayer from below
Week 1: Peace
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, how in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Week 2: Joy
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Week 3: God’s Faithfulness
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit to live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen
Week 4: Hope
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.